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Economics

Chief economist update: China shares inclusion in MSCI is a blessing and a curse

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 17 SEP 2018
Funds did indeed flow, but it was out rather than into China as emerging markets tumbled, prompted by the escalation of Sino-Yankee trade tensions and the US dollar appreciation.

Chief economist update: Steady as she goes

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 14 SEP 2018
Yesterday's European Central Bank's Governing Council meeting would have been a big ho-hum were it not for some minor, albeit significant, tweaks in the bank's outlook.

Chief economist update: Japan's core strengthens

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 13 SEP 2018
When Japan's Cabinet Office revised it GDP growth estimate from the preliminary estimate of 0.5% to 0.7%, it also reported that capital expenditure provided the highest contribution to growth over the same period.

Chief economist update: Confidence down, conditions up

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 12 SEP 2018
The NAB monthly business survey revealed Australian business confidence fell from a reading of +7 in July to a two-year low of +4 in August, taking it below the long-term average reading of +6.

Chief economist update: Japan's sun shines

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 11 SEP 2018
Net exports would provide an even bigger subtraction from growth should Trump take as aggressive a stance on Tokyo as he is on China.

Chief economist update: Trump's beggar thy neighbour policy

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 10 SEP 2018
The problem is, the harder Donald Trump goes on trade (and compounded by the strong US dollar) the greater the downward pull on the growth of America's neighbours, making it harder for them to lift purchases of "made in USA" products even if they wanted ...

Philanthropic forces shift asset allocation

DARREN SNYDER  |  THURSDAY, 6 SEP 2018
Forces within Australia's philanthropy sector are shifting the distribution of more than $1 billion in annual grants and funding to non-traditional sectors.

Chief economist update: Blame the US economy for the widening trade gap

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 29 AUG 2018
The positive indications from consumer confidence and inventory build suggest continuing strength in US economic growth - both are components of GDP with the consumer accounting for 70%.

Chief economist update: Famous last words

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 28 AUG 2018
Maybe, this time is different. Then again maybe not.

Australia's weekus horribilis

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 27 AUG 2018
The week of 20-24 August began with a challenge to sitting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's leadership of the Liberal Party and ended with the sitting Treasurer Scott Morrison emerging as the country's 30th Prime Minister.